Amrita Pritam and Imroz's love story comes alive with this play in Andheri

Rozlyn Khan and Yuktarth Shrivastav as Amrita Pritam and Imroz in a moment from the play

Poet and author Amrita Pritam's work, as well as her personal life, always garnered attention. Apart from winning the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1956, her work in Punjabi and Hindi literature was largely celebrated. While her love affair with lyricist and poet Sahir Ludhianvi has found representation in both theatre and film, a play called Ishq Jale To Jale Aesa by Ideal Drama and Entertainment Academy (IDEA), shines the light on her later relationship with the artist Imroz. At a time when live-in relationships were unheard of in India, Amrita and Imroz lived together for 40 years without being married.

Amrita Pritam. File Pic

"Imroz worked with a Delhi-based, popular film magazine called Shama, and when Amrita's book was being published, she requested him to design its cover. For Imroz, it was love at first sight. He was aware of Amrita's love for Sahir but couldn't help falling for her. When Amrita was bed-ridden, he was the one who took care of her, and nursed her back to health. There is an instance where he told her, "If your hands are weak, I will become your hands. If your eyes are weak, I will become your eyes. I can recite the works of Ghalib and Mir Taqi Mir to you, as I remember them well. I have read everything, I remember everything." To this, Amrita asks him if he remembers anything written by Sahir, and can recite that. While this upsets Imroz, he agrees to narrate Sahir's poem," reveals Mujeeb Khan, the play's director. "This exchange between them is just one example of the selfless nature of Imroz's love for Amrita. When his friends asked him how despite being talented and successful, he could love Amrita, knowing that she cared for another, he would say that love is not based on conditions," he adds.

A conversation between Imroz and his conscience

The play also takes the audience through the ups and downs in Amrita Pritam's life. "Her life was layered. She was a member of the Rajya Sabha; her literary work was acknowledged and awarded. However, this irked many male members of her fraternity, especially her contemporaries from the field of Punjabi literature, who spoke ill of her, but Amrita continued to write fearlessly. When you see the play, read her stories, her novels and her poetry, you realise what a brave and strong woman she was," Khan remarks.

A scene featuring Rozlyn Khan as Amrita Pritam

The 90-minute play is written by Sadique Ansari, with music by Madeeha Khan, and has Yuktarth Shrivastav, Rozlyn Khan, Hashim Sayyed and Tejas Parekh cast in key roles. While Amrita and Imroz are the central characters, Imroz's conscience or inner voice is also a significant part of the play. "The play is full of anecdotes from Amrita and Imroz's life. An audience that loves literature, poetry and the beauty of Urdu will enjoy the play, and so will anyone who believes in unconditional love and romance."

On: February 18; 8 pm
At: Shakuntalam Studio, Plot No 401 & 402, Link Road, Adarsh Nagar, opposite Tarapur Tower HP Petrol Pump, Andheri (W).
Call: 9870404393
Log on to: insider.in
Entry: Rs 250